Breed Comparison: Pembroke Welsh Corgi Versus Pyrenean Shepherd

Last Updated: Apr 10, 2022

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Pembroke Welsh Corgi Versus Pyrenean Shepherd: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Pyrenean Shepherd? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Pyrenean Shepherd better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Pyrenean Shepherd.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Pyrenean Shepherd is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and for the Pyrenean Shepherd. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Pyrenean Shepherd.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Pembroke Welsh Corgi or the Pyrenean Shepherd.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Pyrenean Shepherd

Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Pyrenean Shepherd: Overview

Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Pyrenean Shepherd are similar in size. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Pyrenean Shepherd are both small-sized dogs.

Furthermore, both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Pyrenean Shepherd are Herding Dogs. This means both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Pyrenean Shepherd were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Pyrenean Shepherd: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Pembroke Welsh Corgi to the Pyrenean Shepherd based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Pyrenean Shepherd

FactorPembroke Welsh CorgiPyrenean Shepherd
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Height10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder15 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span12 to 14 years15 to 17 years
Does NOT chew on things4/53/5
Tendency NOT to Wander4/54/5
Weight22 to 31 pounds25 to 30 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone3/51/5
Tolerates Hot Weather3/53/5
Dog Friendly3/52/5
General Health3/52/5
Low Prey Drive3/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/51/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living4/55/5
Good For Novice Owners4/52/5
Easygoing2/52/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/54/5
Kid-Friendly4/55/5
Easy To Groom4/53/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/53/5
NOT Rambunctious2/52/5
Minimal Exercise Needs2/51/5
Potential For Playfulness4/55/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers5/52/5
Does NOT Shed1/53/5
Easy To Train5/52/5
Intelligence5/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl1/51/5
Average Lifespan13.0 years16.0 years
Average Price$1700No Data
Price Range$1200 – $2000No Data
Temperament Score79.6 percent75.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds16179

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Pyrenean Shepherd. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is 85 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Pyrenean Shepherd is 72 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a better pet than the Pyrenean Shepherd. So, you should get a Pembroke Welsh Corgi!

    Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Pyrenean Shepherd

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Pyrenean Shepherd

    Below is a list of where the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Pyrenean Shepherd are most different:

  • Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very friendly towards strangers. However, Pyrenean Shepherds are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very easy to train. However, Pyrenean Shepherds are not easy to train.
  • The Similarities Between the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Pyrenean Shepherd

    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Pyrenean Shepherd are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Pyrenean Shepherd are most similar:

  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Pyrenean Shepherd do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Pyrenean Shepherd are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Pyrenean Shepherd do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Pyrenean Shepherd adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Pyrenean Shepherd are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Pyrenean Shepherd can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Pyrenean Shepherd get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Pyrenean Shepherd are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Pyrenean Shepherd gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Pyrenean Shepherd have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Pyrenean Shepherd require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Pyrenean Shepherd are very playful.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Pyrenean Shepherd are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Pyrenean Shepherd are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Pyrenean Shepherd are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Size Comparison of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Pyrenean Shepherd

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Pyrenean Shepherd.

    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi weighs 22 to 31 pounds when fully grown. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, the Pyrenean Shepherd weighs 25 to 30 pounds when fully grown. The Pyrenean Shepherd is 15 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Size of Pyrenean Shepherd

    Lifespan of Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Pyrenean Shepherd

    The lifespan of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is 13.0 years.

    The lifespan of the Pyrenean Shepherd is between 15 to 17 years. The average lifespan of the Pyrenean Shepherd is 16.0 years.

    The Pyrenean Shepherd live longer than the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

    Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Pyrenean Shepherd

    Temperament of the Pyrenean Shepherd Versus the Pembroke Welsh Corgi

    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi has a better temperament than the Pyrenean Shepherd.

    This is because the temperament score for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is 79.6 percent while the temperament score for the Pyrenean Shepherd is 75.0 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 79.6 percent, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 75.0 percent, the Pyrenean Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Pyrenean Shepherd by measuring the temperaments of 216 Pembroke Welsh Corgis and 4 Pyrenean Shepherds.

    Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Pyrenean Shepherd

    The Popularity of Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Popularity of Pyrenean Shepherd

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Pyrenean Shepherd over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is more popular with dog owners than the Pyrenean Shepherd. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is 16 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Pyrenean Shepherd is 179 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Pembroke Welsh Corgi

    Popularity of Pembroke Welsh Corgi

    Popularity of Pyrenean Shepherd

    Popularity of Pyrenean Shepherd

    Year Pembroke Welsh Corgi Popularity Rank Pyrenean Shepherd Popularity Rank
    2013 24 169
    2014 22 178
    2015 20 176
    2016 18 176
    2017 15 180
    2018 13 181
    2019 10 182
    2020 11 182
    2021 11 192

    Health Problems of Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Health Problems of Pyrenean Shepherd

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Pyrenean Shepherd are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Pyrenean Shepherd is prone to more genetic health problems than the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Pyrenean Shepherd than for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

    2 health tests are recommended for Pembroke Welsh Corgi while 5 tests are recommended for the Pyrenean Shepherd.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Pembroke Welsh Corgis and in Pyrenean Shepherds.

    Pembroke Welsh Corgi Health Problems

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Pembroke Welsh Corgi breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Pembroke Welsh Corgis for:

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Pembroke Welsh Corgis here.

    Pyrenean Shepherd Health Problems

    Pyrenean Shepherds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Pyrenean Shepherd puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Pyrenean Shepherd puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Pyrenean Shepherd breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Pyrenean Shepherds for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Pyrenean Shepherds here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Pembroke Welsh Corgis and Pyrenean Shepherds

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Breed is Degenerative Myelopathy problems.

    This is because the Pembroke Welsh Corgi ranks 2 out of 70 dog breeds for Degenerative Myelopathy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 4428 Pembroke Welsh Corgis, 2360 of them had Degenerative Myelopathy problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Pembroke Welsh Corgis, and how common these diseases are in Pembroke Welsh Corgis relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 2 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Von Willebrands problems: Rank 5 out of 15 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 41 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 79 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 85 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 109 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Pyrenean Shepherd Breed is Dentition Database problems.

    This is because the Pyrenean Shepherd ranks 24 out of 49 dog breeds for Dentition Database problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 79 Pyrenean Shepherds, 4 of them had Dentition Database problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Pyrenean Shepherds, and how common these diseases are in Pyrenean Shepherds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 24 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 27 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 44 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 71 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 72 out of 145 Dog Breeds

  • The table below lists the common health problems in Pembroke Welsh Corgi and in Pyrenean Shepherd and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Pyrenean Shepherd:

    Disease Pembroke Welsh Corgi Rank Pyrenean Shepherd Rank
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 2 out of 70 dog breeds Not Common
    Von Willebrands problems 5 out of 15 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 41 out of 198 dog breeds 71 out of 198 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 79 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 85 out of 182 dog breeds 44 out of 182 dog breeds
    Patella problems 109 out of 145 dog breeds 72 out of 145 dog breeds
    Dentition Database problems Not Common 24 out of 49 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems Not Common 27 out of 159 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Pyrenean Shepherd

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis can be left alone only for a short time.

    Pyrenean Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Pembroke Welsh Corgis shed more than Pyrenean Shepherds?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Pyrenean Shepherds shed moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi or the Pyrenean Shepherd?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very easy to groom.

    Pyrenean Shepherds are moderately easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi or the Pyrenean Shepherd?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Pyrenean Shepherds do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Pembroke Welsh Corgis good family dogs? What about Pyrenean Shepherds?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Pyrenean Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Easier to Train than the Pyrenean Shepherd?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very easy to train.

    Pyrenean Shepherds are not easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi or the Pyrenean Shepherd

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Pyrenean Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Pembroke Welsh Corgis and Pyrenean Shepherds?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Pyrenean Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pyrenean Shepherd?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Pyrenean Shepherds have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Pembroke Welsh Corgis Bark and Howl? What about Pyrenean Shepherds?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Pyrenean Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Pembroke Welsh Corgis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pyrenean Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Pyrenean Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs. Pyrenean Shepherd

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Pyrenean Shepherds do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Pembroke Welsh Corgis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pyrenean Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Pyrenean Shepherds can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Better for Apartment Owners than the Pyrenean Shepherd?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis adapt very well to apartment living.

    Pyrenean Shepherds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi or the Pyrenean Shepherd?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very good for new dog owners.

    Pyrenean Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Pembroke Welsh Corgi Versus Other Dog Breeds

    You may also be interested in how the Pembroke Welsh Corgi compares to other breeds aside from the Pyrenean Shepherd. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi to other breeds:

    Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Bich Poo     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Whippet     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Belgian Tervuren     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Borzoi     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Bracco Italiano     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Standard Poodle     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Sloughi     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Belgian Sheepdog     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Skye Terrier     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Morkie     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Stabyhoun     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Shetland Sheepdog     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Portuguese Water Dog     

    Conclusion: Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Pyrenean Shepherd. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Pyrenean Shepherd better suits you and your family.